It means a lot to me when the patients themselves tell me that I'm a good nurse. That means I'm doing my job well. The first time the resident in the LTC I work at told me that was when I first started working PM. At that time, I used to work NOC shift all the time and it was my very first day working in the afternoon. The resident said, "You're a good nurse because some nurses are 3-4 hours behind."
Another patient told me that I'm a good nurse.
Despite being a thankless job sometimes, there are still some positive things about it.
How does it feel when the patients tell you you're a good (or even great) nurse? For me, it feels amazing.
I rarely believe anything my patients say of a complimentary nature. This is because, as criminal forensic patients, they are usually trying to manipulate me or get something out of me.
I totally don't blame you. I wouldn't want to believe them either....if they manipulate you, your case against them could be blown...
I've always been interested in forensic nursing. Sounds like an interesting job.
Why ever take a compliment about being a good nurse "with a grain of salt?" At that moment in time you made a positive difference in a life. Life is too short not to appreciate that for what it is regardless of how short-lived the sentiment might be.
I'm usually skeptical of it because it's fake or ill-informed. Patients wouldn't know a good nurse from a bad one. And I'll admit I'm not comfortable being complemented on good customer service. Customer service or kissing butt kills a little bit of my soul. I feel like a sell-out, and every time I'm complemented on customer service, I think what did I do that I shouldn't have. Customer service is at times the opposite of doing a good job as a nurse, no matter how many times admin pushes the message that good nursing care = good customer service.
I cared for a 70something retired RN on an ortho floor when I was in school (and very pregnant.) A couple wks after she d/c'ed, my NM gave me a package she'd sent to the unit addressed to me -- it was a crocheted mint green baby afghan and a note saying she thought I was going to be a good nurse someday. To say I was floored and honored would be an understatement.
Five or so years ago I cared for an angry-at-the-world man with the worst venous ulcers I've ever seen. His wound care was very complex (1 pg written instructions). He really liked me, even told the GNP that I was a "good nurse." What I did to earn his favor was 1) didn't get defensive and 2) listened to him about his care. He was an intelligent guy (had been in the old Army Air Corps) and had been dealing with his legs for a long time. He recognized I cared about his health and was a partner in his care, not his adversary.
Otherwise yeah, I find most of the "good nurse" comments are related to my interpersonal skills. I can do nice really well. And I do take a fair amount of time explaining things to families, which they appreciate.
Sure, it's nice to hear even if they don't really know what nursing entails. Once it got a bit uncomfortable, this mom (19 or 20 yr old pt) kept calling me her favorite nurse. Over the next few days she seemed to get a liiiiiitle too attached. Started venting about family dynamics and and asking for non-nursing advice, etc. It wasn't anything blatantly creepy, just felt off.
I have been told I was a good nurse by a patient from time to time. And that makes your day and usually your week. The best feeling I ever got was actually from a family member. I try to work my shifts three in a row. I had a patient and family who could be a tad difficult at times, but I walked in on my second night with the patient and a family member said "oh good Mom, you got the good nurse again." That made my entire year. I was a relatively new nurse (still am in my eyes, I graduated in 2015) and I work in ICU so the confidence placed in me by this family meant the world to me.
Patients don't specifically say "You're a good nurse" but they thank me for listening, for caring, for helping them, for advocating for them. To me, those 'thank yous' mean "you're a good nurse".
And I do take a fair amount of time explaining things to families, which they appreciate.
mrsjonesRN
175 Posts
I totally don't blame you. I wouldn't want to believe them either....if they manipulate you, your case against them could be blown...
I've always been interested in forensic nursing. Sounds like an interesting job.